New and need an opinion if we have a good reason to homeschool

I would say all your reasons to homeschool are valid!

Might I recommend a book that helped me a lot?
"Homeschooling for Dummies". I picked it up atthenlocal library, and I really enjoyed it.
It covers a lot of topics, including why so many people are against homeschooling (or just think they are, lol)
This book might help your DH change his point of view about what homeschooling actually is.

Also, as others have said, try to find a local homeschooling group. I found one locally that has co-op classes, spelling bees, and all kinds of other wonderful extra-curricular activities, as well as a lot of support for their members.

I don't think having an accent will impede your ability to homeshool.

 

That depends on exactly what you're testing. What a child needs to know in social studies or science will vary from place to place, but there's a fairly well-understood guideline for what a public school child should learn in reading and math. For that, you could use www.LetsGoLearn.com. You'll find the DORA and the DOMA test (reading and math). Each one is $20 (unless you join homeschool buyer's co-op ... which is free ... and then each test would be $15). It's an online, standardized test that adapts to the child. It'll start very easy and get harder until he starts missing a few questions in a row, then it'll go on to the next category (like, the reading test has categories for phonics, spelling, comprehension, etc.). The test is given by a talking, animated monkey, so it's very child-friendly and doesn't feel like a "test" you'd have in school. At the end, you'll be given a detailed report of what grade level he's on for each subsection, and you'll be given a grade level as an overall score as well. You can also compare his score with state standards (because each is a little different) to show where he stands in relationship to the state. Give the same test again in June to show progress. I really like it. It's not stressful for the child, but it's VERY informative for the parent. It shows you exactly which areas need the most attention, and it even gives you suggestions for how to teach those areas.

... and after you get the score, you can ask us what to do next. We can recommend teaching approaches and curricula based on the score given and the score needed by June. Homeschooling doesn't need to be score-driven like public school does, but in this case, you really need to show solid results so you can back yourself up when debating with your husband and family.

I would NOT recommend testing through a school. First of all, you're not guaranteed to take the same test twice (so you'd be comparing apples and oranges rather than apples and apples), and I don't think they'd appreciate being "used" by a homeschooler like that. Some are welcoming to homeschoolers, but most are not.

 

I think all your concerns are valid. I think that a capable parent can homeschool for any reason. We don't need a reason...it's a choice. It can be made as simply as having coffee or tea if the parent is ready and willing...ya know?

I don't think your accent will be harmful in the least. I can understand why your husband may have brought it up...slightly..lol...or maybe it was just one more reason he could think of to change your mind. Teach your son your native language while you are at it...that would be quite beneficial! You obviously have a command over the English language...this should not be a problem at all.

I am happy you and your dh have come to an agreement. I understand the concerns of a parent just wanting to make sure a home education will advance their child properly. For those unfamiliar with a home education and used to it being an institution it seems odd to teach at home. I know before I did it I could not understand how it all could be accomplished. I am certain you will have no problems proving to your husband that home education is a good fit. But in time if you find it is not, remember you did not fail. Sounds though to me that you are quite determined and intelligent..I'm sure you will be fine.

 

I think ANY reason is a good reason. I firmly believe the best place for a child is learning at home with his family! The reason I first started this adventure 18 years ago was just because I loved my kids so very much and just hated being away from them. From there I grew more reasons like a much better education, safety from school violence and immorality, etc.... It is a wonderful life. You do not have to push your children from their nest for them to learn how to operate in the world. Thirteen of our fifteen have already graduated and are doing great

 

Once you get to the point that you know what level your child is at, start a new thread on here and ask for advice on the different curriculum. This site was a lifesave to me when I started and the people in here have so much to share. Good luck with your new adventure.

 

2littleboys - Thank you for a great suggestion. We will do exactly that.

AvaRose - Thank you for your warm and encouraging and very kind message. I know DH is very concerned about DH's well being; but he is a very traditional man; all his family are very traditional people "it has to be done this way because it has to be done this way" - something like this.

Bren.......13 out of 15?????You are a superhero parents guys W O W!!

FortheSon - I feel lucky to find this forum, too

 

I, personally, am pretty extreme with homeschooling! I don't think there is a reason NOT to homeschool! Nobody can convince me sending my kids to school is beneficial to them!

That being said, I agree with SimplySonita - your husband HAS to be on board. Suggest a "trial" basis for this one year. Agree if he doesn't feel your son received the education at home that he should have, that you will send him back to school next year.

Pray about it that God will soften his heart. Seek a support group/homeschool co-op in your area to see what your options are for socialization, since other people always worry about that - atleast you can put his mind to ease he will be around other kids.

We have a homeschool Vs public school thread on Curriculum Share. This will make your jaw drop for sure: http://curriculumshare.com/index.php/topic,978.0.html

 

Personally, I think that it doesn't matter what reason you have or don't have...if you want to home school, that's good enough. It's a personal choice, and you should make sure you understand what you're getting yourself into. Like someone else already said, make sure you check into your state's laws. Good luck!

 

With my computer being down for a few days I am back to the thread to thank everyone who was so kind to find a minute to type a reply to my post.
Poor DH is rocking forth and back, everyday giving me different reasons why that would be a horrible idea to take DS from the school. For instance, today's reason he gave me was lack of comunication and socialization. Once again he tried to convince me that school setting is the most natural and lively setting for a child, and the teachers HERE IN THE UNITED STATES are trained to do their job as good as they should. DH feels pretty insecure himself. His background is a very traditional home, that is how I explain his fear.

In the mean time DS had total meltdown this last night, waking me up at midnight crying and shaking his hands like he just grabbed hot pot and burnt them, moaning "i can't do this any more". At first I didn't get the idea what happened, but after while after crying and some kind of funny body movements (I couldn't reconize my boy, he looked so different, like somebody else, not my son), he started talking to me that he couldn't understand rounding big numbers at school and was sitting confused and was afraid to admit it and didn't complete the assignment.
DH woke up and came by, asking what happened so I told him everything, hoping that DH would finally admit that school is not the best place for DS, but instead of that DH said to me OF COURSR HE WOULD HAVE NIGHTMARES, YOU WERE PUSHING HIM TO DO HOMEWORK TOO LATE, YOU CAN'T DO THAT, YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW TO STRUCTURE TIME.
Wow, I thought, it was my fault again. He just doesn't get that DS comes home at 3:30, and goes to bed at 8pm, his homework takes him avarage time 3 hours a day, before homework he has to play a little and run and get all this school stress out of his mind and body, and eat and then start doing homework, and I am not the one who can stratch time to make 27 hours a day, but I am the one who can fit into 24 hours very healthy and balanced and effective schedule SANE one, not insane. GRRRR
Thank you for listening!
DH however is looking forward to take a suggested online DOMA test. We found the site and everything and now, when computer is working again, we will take the test.
Last this spring they took Ohio Test at school, where DS tested reading at 95 points, science at 75, SS at 63 and math at 43. Math test reasults was pretty disappointing of course. DS is not a math whiz, rather reading (imaging that hahaha).
These days we are just taking one day at a time and praying and hoping for best.

 

Ivanna,

You are in Ohio? Me too!

Would your husband be open to reading more about homeschooling OR how children naturally learn? There is a book called Free Range Learning: How Homeschooling Changes Everything by: Laura Grace Weldon.

I am not into Free Range parenting in the LEAST possible way. However, this book surprised me. I reviewed it for Laura and agreed with most of it. It does not promote a learning style or learning method. It simply explains how children naturally learn and how to grab onto that to educate your child. Don't let the term "Free Range" throw you off...it did me.

Pocketbook of Pinecones is about a Charlotte Mason education. It's about a mom teaching her children in a CM manner.

At any rate...I have the Free Range Learning book since I reviewed it. If you want it...I'll have to charge you the shipping...I'm broke..LOL. The book was free to me..so i am not selling it. I am just done with it and have far too many books.

 

Hi Ava Rose!
We are in Wisconsin. Ohio test was given at school as a nationally designed test. Not every state has to take it to my knowleage, but many. The scores showed a student's results compared to the results of all the students of those states who took the test.
Thank you for the suggested book. This morning I was planning to be at the library anyway, so I will check it out there.
DH might be interested in reading it, hope that will help. Myself I totally agree on the idea of kids learning naturally in natural settings beter. For instance my son and i had a cute conversation the other day. He said: Mom, you know, when I was in heaven i chose you as a mom to come to this earth. I: really? Why me? He said: because you believe in herbs, and I do too (that is how he put it). I want to heal myself in herbs, too. Could you write a book for me with all the remedies you know for my future so I can reffer to it when my family needs help?

I do really practice natural healing using chineese herbs, european herbs and remedies, eccential oils, healthy diets, organic living etc - and he picked up it and soaked it in and wants to practice it - only hope he will reember doing so later in life.

I put everything in God's hands by now. It is a huge decision, and as many of you here said, I need my husband on board. He is getting there, so sooner or later i will repotrt: o.k., we had our first day at home school today!!:love: